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5-Minute Deep Dive

Systems, timeline, and what's next

The real story so far: Baghdad to El Cajon. I build structure where it matters: how I learn, how I focus, and how I show proof of work.

Timeline

  • • Born in Baghdad. Lived in Syria as a refugee. Moved to El Cajon in 2008.
  • • General Business, graduating December 18, 2025, GPA about 3.8.
  • • Time sinks now are mainly reading and building my website (not mindless scrolling).

Three systems I actually use

System 01

Proof-of-Work Loop (Portfolio + Website Build)

What it is

A simple loop: build something real, document it clearly, iterate until it's "good enough perfection," then move on.

How it shows up

  • • I spend a lot of my "productive internet time" building my website.
  • • I prefer output people can verify instead of claims people have to trust. (That's the point of a portfolio.)

Result

A recruiter can evaluate actual work instead of reading inflated bullet points.

System 02

Learning System (Questions, Interaction, Repeat)

The problem

Passive learning bores me fast. If someone is just reading slides, I would rather stay home and read.

The system

  • • I learn by asking questions repeatedly and cycling the material until it sticks.
  • • I almost never take notes because it does not help me much.

Result

It matches how my brain actually works, and it is consistent with finishing General Business on track with a strong GPA.

System 03

Focus + Discipline Baseline (Remove Noise, Keep Output)

The problem

Distraction is easy when the phone is a slot machine. I treated that as an environment problem, not a personality problem.

The system

  • • Short-form social media: deleted because it is too easy to waste hours.
  • • Phone time: down to about 3 to 5 hours per day (used to be way higher).
  • • Notifications: I try to eliminate them because constant buzzing hijacks attention.
  • • Daily reminder I actually use: "Do not say anything negative today."
  • • Gym: I train 4 to 5 days per week on average; it's where my mind quiets down and focus locks in.

Result

Less wasted attention, more consistency, and a reliable baseline to keep progressing.

What's next

  • • I'm open to new opportunities, remote or San Diego hybrid.
  • • Best-fit environment: respectful accountability (not condescension), clear ownership, and real intellectual challenge.

What I Am Good At

  • • Building systems that reduce chaos and create repeatable processes
  • • Cultural sensitivity and bridging communication gaps between different groups
  • • Showing up consistently and delivering on commitments
  • • Translating complex ideas into clear, actionable steps
  • • Self-directed learning and quickly picking up new tools

What I Am Working On

  • • Saying no to distractions and staying focused on high-impact work
  • • Being more direct in communication rather than overexplaining
  • • Delegating tasks instead of trying to do everything myself
  • • Building patience for long-term projects that take months to see results
  • • Getting better at public speaking and presenting in front of groups

How we got here

The path from Baghdad to El Cajon (near San Diego), building adaptability early, then finishing a General Business degree (December 2025; diploma pending) and moving into roles with real ownership.

01

Baghdad → Syria → United States (US)

Born in Baghdad. Moved from Baghdad to Syria, then came to the US in 2008 at age 4.

02

El Cajon / San Diego (Base)

Based in El Cajon, California (near San Diego). Open to new opportunities (remote or San Diego hybrid).

03

Education (General Business)

Completed a General Business degree in December 2025. Focused on practical execution: taking messy situations and making them clearer and more manageable.

04

Work (Coaching / Chaperone)

Coaching/chaperone work with kids. Learned consistency, patience, communication, and responsibility in real-time situations where you can't "pause" the environment.

05

How I operate

Traits: systems thinker; pattern recognition strength. Style: blunt, information-first, assumption-checking. I prefer clear constraints, clear ownership, and clean follow-through.

06

What I'm targeting

Operations and project coordination work where I can be trusted with real responsibility and execution. Not looking to be babysat. Give the goal, constraints, and timeline, and I'll drive it.

Three decisions that shaped me

Looking back, these choices determined the trajectory more than anything else.

01

Choosing systems over shortcuts

Early on, I realized that quick fixes create debt. Every time I chose to build a repeatable process instead of just solving the immediate problem, it compounded. Now I spend less time firefighting because the systems handle the predictable stuff.

02

Leaning into discomfort

Taking on projects that felt too big, having conversations that felt too hard, and putting myself in situations where failure was possible. The growth only happened at the edges of what I could handle. Staying comfortable meant staying stuck.

03

Writing things down

Documenting processes, lessons learned, and reflections. Most people skip this step because it feels like extra work. But written records become reference material that compounds. This portfolio exists because I decided to document rather than just experience.

Let's talk about what's next

Whether it's a role, a project, or just comparing notes on systems; reach out.

Hi, maybe I can help? 👋